The current monitoring period covers the monsoon season, during which the main rice crop (Kharif) is grown. It is planted at the beginning of monsoon in June and harvested in October. Other major crops grown during this monitoring period are maize and soybean. Rabi wheat sowing started in October. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop conditions were close to or above the average in general, except in mid-August, indicating that the crop conditions for Kharif rice, maize and soybean were favorable at the national level.

The CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that nationwide TEMP (+0.3 °C) was close to average, wheras RADPAR was at the same level as the 15YA. India recorded abundant RAIN (+5%) after July, which exceeded the 15-year average for the same monitoring period. The increased rainfall and temperature resulted in a BIOMSS increase by 1% compared with the 15YA. Moreover, the overall VCIx was high, with a value of 0.97. As can be seen from the spatial distribution, only the South, Northeast and Northwest recorded values below 0.80. Most of India had high VCIx values. These spatial patterns of VCIx were thus generally consistent with those of NDVI. Almost all areas experienced continuously above-average crop conditions until September. The spatial distribution of NDVI profiles shows that in August, 28.9% of the areas recorded below-average crop conditions in the West and Northeast regions. CALF increased by 3% compared to the 5YA.

With the exception of a few areas, the crop conditions in all parts of India were favorable. During the last monitoring period, the crops in some areas were affected by excessive rainfall and flooding, but the general situation has turned favorable. Crop production for this season is estimated to be above average at the national level. 

Regional analysis 

India is divided into eight agro-ecological zones: the Deccan Plateau (94), the Eastern coastal region (95), the Gangetic plain (96), Assam and north-eastern regions (97), Agriculture areas in Rajasthan and Gujarat (98), the Western coastal region (99), the North-western dry region (100) and the Western Himalayan region (101).

The two agro-ecological zones of the Deccan Plateau and the Agriculture areas in Rajasthan and Gujarat show similar trends in agricultural indices. Compared to the same period of previous years, RAIN had increased, especially in the Agriculture areas in Rajasthan and Gujarat (+21%). Aided by slightly higher TEMP and RADPAR, abundant rainfall caused BIOMSS to be much higher than the 15-year average. CALF showed the same trends. In Rajasthan and Gujarat, it was  4% above the 5YA. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth of these two agro-ecological regions during this monitoring period exceeded the 5-year maximum in most months. Generally, the crop production is expected to be above average.

The Eastern coastal region and the Western coastal region recorded similar trends of agricultural indices in this monitoring period. Compared to the same period of the previous years, RAIN had increased by more than 10%. TEMP was slightly below average (-0.1°C) in the Eastern coastal region and slightly above average (+0.1°C) in the Western coastal region. Below average RADPAR caused a decrease in BIOMSS. Both regions recorded increases of CALF (+3% and +6%, respectively). VCIx was above 0.95. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth for the two regions exceeded the 5-year average. The crop production is expected to be above average.

The North-western dry region recorded 512 mm of RAIN, which was 54% above average. TEMP was at 31.1°C (+0.3°C), and RADPAR was slightly below the 15YA at 1188 MJ/m² (-2%). BIOMSS was above the 5YA (+7%) due to the heavy rainfall. CALF reached 56% which was a significant increase by 44% over the 5-year average, and VCIx was 0.90. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth of this region during this monitoring period exceeded the 5-year average in most months. Generally, the crop production is expected to be above average.

The Assam and Northeastern region recorded 2429 mm of RAIN, which was slightly above average (+4%). TEMP was at 24.3°C (+0.3°C) and  RADPAR was at 863 MJ/m² (-9%). BIOMSS was below the 5YA (-7%) due to less solar radiation. CALF reached 95% which was near average, and VCIx was 0.94. The outlook of crop production in this region is slightly unfavorable due to the low radiation and high rainfall.

The Western Himalayan region and the Gangetic plain recorded similar trends of agricultural indices in this monitoring period. Compared to the same period of the previous years, RAIN had decreased significantly, especially in the Western Himalayan region (-53%).  TEMP and RADPAR were slightly higher. Lack of rainfall caused BIOMSS estimates to be below the 15-year average. CALF was close to the 5-year average in both regions. The VCIx was higher than 0.94. The graph of NDVI development shows that crop growth for the two regions was below the 5-year average during the monitoring period. Therefore, crop production conditions were slightly unfavorable.

Figure 3.20. India's crop condition, July - October2020

                                                (a) Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI   

 (c) Maximum VCI

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                         (e) NDVI profiles

                (f) Rainfall profiles                                               (g) Temperature profiles

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Deccan Plateau (left) and Eastern Coastal Region (right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Gangetic Plains (left) and Assam and north-eastern regions (right))

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Agriculture areas in Rajasthan and Gujarat (left) and Western Coastal Region (right))

(k) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (North-western dry region (left) and Western Himalayan Region (right))

Table 3.31. India’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, July - October 2020

 Table 3.32. India’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA,  July - October 2020